picture (redirected from be a picture)

be in the picture

be out of the picture - to not be involved in a particular situation. Although Derek has handed over control of the company to his son, he's still very much in the picture.

be out of the picture

to not be involved in a particular situation. Withers is out of the picture with a leg injury, so Jackson is in goal today.

be the picture of [health/innocence etc.]

to look very healthy, innocent etc.. I can't believe there's anything seriously wrong with him - he's the picture of health.

See also: health

the big picture

the most important facts about a situation and the effects of that situation on other things. In my political work I try to concentrate on the big picture and not be distracted by details.

See also: big

someone's face is a picture

if someone's face is a picture, their face shows that they are very surprised or angry. Her face was a picture when I told her the news.

See also: face

get the picture (informal)

to understand a situation. 'He doesn't want her but he doesn't want anyone else to have her, you know?' 'I get the picture.'

keep someone in the picture

put someone in the picture - to explain to someone what is happening. I'll be counting on you to keep me in the picture while I'm away.

See also: keep

paint a [bleak/rosy etc.] picture of something

to describe a situation in a particular way. The article paints a bleak (= hopeless) picture of the future. He painted a rosy (= happy) picture of family life.

See also: paint, rosy

picture-perfect (American)

perfect in appearance or quality. He built a dream house in a picture-perfect neighborhood. Cloudless sky, brilliant sunshine - the weather was picture-perfect.

put someone in the picture

to explain to someone what is happening. Jim had no idea what was going on until I put him in the picture.

the whole picture

the most important facts about a situation and the effects of that situation on other things. You're just taking into account Melissa's views of the situation but of course that's not the whole picture.

See also: whole

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the big picture

the most important facts about a situation and the effects that it has on other things. Melissa's opinions don't take the big picture into account.

Usage notes: often used after look at: When you look at the big picture, a slight increase in unemployment is not significant.

See also: big

get the picture

to understand a situation. The team won two, then lost three, then won two, then lost two, then won three — you get the picture?

in the picture

to be involved in a situation. Strong thunderstorms and heavy rain are in the picture for the Southeast on Monday.

in the loop

out of the picture

to not be involved in a situation. With the national government out of the picture, local leaders will have to work out a solution.

out of the loop

paint a picture (of something)

to describe a situation in a particular way. The report paints a picture of a neighborhood in decline.

Usage notes: often used with an adjective that describes the type of situation: Doctors have begun to paint a grim picture of his condition. I don't want to paint too rosy a picture.As the 2nd usage ex. shows, the obj is optional--SL, 1/03

See also: paint

the picture of something

a very good representation of a condition or an attitude. Except for a little arthritis, my mother is the picture of health. He seemed the picture of confidence.

the whole pictureSee at: get the picture

See also: whole